Your scented candle may be polluting your home. Even when unlit, candles can emit hazardous toxins that can be damaging to your health. Everything from the fragrance to the wax to the wick could be dangerous. Most candles are made from paraffin. Paraffin is made by bleaching petroleum and when when burned, it emits VOCs (volatile organic compounds). VOCs are known carcinogens. Most fragrances used in scented candles are synthetic which give off even more VOCs (even when unlit). Also, metal can be found in some candle wicks (used to keep the wick standing up). These wicks have been found to emit lead into the air when lit. One study determined that a lead-core wick released 5 times the amount of lead considered unsafe for children (source). What?!
Now, not all candles are hazardous to your health, but you won’t be able to tell which ones safe just by looking at the label. So why take a chance? Using essential oils can be so much fun to play around with by combining different scents and making your home smell amazing. Plus, essential oils have added benefits. Just google essential oil effects. You’ll be amazed. Here are some of my favorite blends:
It’s important you use high quality oils. Some of the oils that you’ll find at your drugstore or grocery store contain added ingredients. In a previous post I talk about my favorite oils. More often than not I am using either Rocky Mountain Oils or Plant Therapy oils. Click here to read why I choose to use these oils.
RMO and Plant Therapy also have pre-made blends. Some of my favorites are RMO’s At Peace and Immune Strength. If you’re a Young Living fan, Immune Strength is the equivalent of Thieves. I add Immune Strength to my homemade all purpose spray and diffuse it during the fall and winter months to kill air born germs (toddlers in daycare…that’s all I’m going to say). To help prevent the littles from getting sick, I dilute this from Plant Therapy and rub it on their feet before bed every night. Both RMO and Plant Therapy have yummy sounding fall scents that I can’t wait to try!
Amazon is great place to shop for diffusers. Here are the ones we use and love:
- Syntus Essential Oil diffuser. This one is great for smaller rooms, has a remote, and has intermittent settings. I especially like intermittent settings for my girls’ rooms. The mist turns on and off every 10 seconds and shuts off after 2 hours. It’s said that if your body is exposed to essential oils for longer periods of time, they start losing their effectiveness and your body may stop responding to them.
- Extended Family Essential Oil Diffuser. We use this one for our larger spaces and also has intermittent settings. It can really throw the scent throughout our whole main level!
Once you start using essential oils, you won’t miss those candles one bit! If you’re already an essential oil lover, what are some of your favorite blends? I’d love to know! And check out my Instagram @happycleanliving to see more blends and uses for essential oils!
Happy Clean Living 